Victorian Councils Say They’re Sidelined by Data Centre Approvals, Call for Moratorium

Several local government bodies in Melbourne’s west and north have requested a moratorium on new AI data centre approvals. They stated that the state government’s planning system allows developers to bypass council assessments. This call for a pause was submitted as evidence to a Senate inquiry, with community opposition described as unprecedented.

• Local government bodies in Melbourne’s west and north are calling for a moratorium on new AI data centre approvals.
• Councils claim the state government’s planning system enables developers to bypass local council assessments.
• Melton, Brimbank, Hume, and Maribyrnong city councils submitted evidence to a Senate inquiry requesting a pause.
• The Western Alliance for Greenhouse Action, representing seven councils, supports the moratorium call.
• Hume Mayor Carly Moore noted unanimous council support for the motion and strong, unifying community sentiment.